Table attachment for beds



(No Model.)

' R. L. STOKES.

TABLE ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS.

No. 252,908. Patented Jan. 31,1882.

.11.... K EE='I I N. PETERS. PhuWLIlhOgA-Aphen Washingwn, D. C.

UNITED STATES ATENT Trice.

ROBERT L. STOKES, OF JEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA.

TABLE ATTACHMENT FOR BEDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 252,908, dated January31, 1882.

" Application filed December 14, I881. (No model.) I H To all whomt'tmay concern Be it known that I, ROBERT L. STOKES, a citizen of theUnited States of America, residing at Jeffersonville, in the county ofOiark and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Table At tachments for Beds, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to those tables which are so arranged as to betemporarily applied to beds, for the purpose of supporting food,medicines, books, &c.; and'the first part of my improvements comprises anovel construction of slotted clamp wherewith the table can be readilyand securely fastened to any form of bed-rail, as hereinafter more fullydescribed.

The second part of my improvements comprises a novel combination ofbracket, bearings, and set-screw, wherewith the table can be securelymaintained either in a horizontal or inclined position, as hereinaftermore futly described.

The third part of my invention consists in applying to thetable-standard a swivel arm or bracket carrying a lamp, by whicharrangement the lightma-y be swung around so as to occupy the mostconvenient position with reference to the table, as hereinafter morefully described.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation showing the deviceattached to the side rail of a bed, the table being shown tilt-ed towardthe latter and the lamp-holder being represented in line with thetable-bracket. Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the upper portion ofthe device, the lamp-holder being shown swung around nearly at a rightangle to its former position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectionthrough the slotted clamp. Fig. 4 shows the devices for securing theangular adjustment ofthe table. Fig. 5 is a rear elevation of the upperpart ot'the slotted clamp, the screw thereof being sectioned.

The bed'rail A, which may be of any desired size or shape, has fastenedto it a clamp composed of a plate, B, pierced with two longitudinalslots, 1) b, which latter are traversed by lugs cc, projectingrearwardly from washers O G, theobject of said lugs being to preventrotation ofsaid washers when'the thumbscrews D I) are turned.Thesethumb-screws D D engage respectively with bent keepers E E, adaptedto grasp the inner side of rail A, as seen in Fig. 3.

Uast with. or secured to plate B is a tubular socket, F, having athnmh-screw,f, to permit vertical adjustment of a rod, shaft, orstandard, G, which standard has either a fixed or shit'table collar, I],supporting a swivel-arm or bracket, I, adapted to revolve freelyaroundthe spindle g of said standard as soon as the thumb-screw i isslackened. The upper end of arm I is pierced at c" to receive the stemof a holder, J, within which latter is seated any suitable form of lampor other illuminating device, K. The swivel bearing of arm I supports asocket, L, into which passes the upper portion of spindle g, athumb-screw, 1, being provided to prevent accidental rotation of saidsocket. This socket carries a laterally-projecting bracket, N, which ispreferably a round rod or bar, as seen in Fig. 4, in order thatjhe boxesor bearings O 0 may turn freely thereon when not restrained by the setscrew or screws 0. a table, P, of any suitable size, shape, andmaterial, one edge of said table being provided with a ledge, It, toprevent books, paper, &c., slipping 01? when said table is so inclinedas to serve as a desk. (See Fig. 2.)

pable of being inserted in holes pot the table, by which arrangementsaid ledgemay be readily detached when its service is not needed.

In applying my table attachment to a bed the bent keepers E E arefirstbrought to bear against the top and bottom edges and rear side of railA, as seen in Fig. 3, after which act the retaining devices D D arescrewed up, thereby clamping the plate B securely to said rail. StandardG is then inserted in socket F and secured by thumb-screw f, and theswivel-arm I and socket L are applied to spindle g of said standard. Thetable P being now slipped on the bracket N and lamp K seated in thesocket J, the standard G is adjusted vertically, so as to maintain saidtable at the height most convenient for the occupant of the bed, saidstandard being secured in this position with the thumb-screwy" androtation of the socket L being prevented by means of the screw 1.

If it is desired to use the table P as a recep tacle for dishes, &c., itis brought to a level position and secured with the thumb-screw 0, theledge B being omitted; but when said table is to'be used as a desk orfor supporting writing materials, &c., it is inclined at any desiredangle, the ledge It being now applied, so as to prevent the books andpapers slipping oil.

When used at nightthelampKislighted,and the swivel-armI is swung aroundso as to bring the light as near the table as may be desired.

From the above description it is evident the keepers E E, slots 1) l),and screws D D ena ble the plate 13 to'be readily clamped to anybed-rail, no matter what size the latter may be, while the thumb screwsf i 1 allow any desired range of adjustment.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination, in a table "attachment forbeds, of slotted plate B b 1), screws 1) D, and keepers E E, said platebeing provided with a socket, F, that supports the standard of saidattachment, as herein described.

2. The combination, in a table attachment for beds, of the round rod orbracket N;bearings O, thumb-screw 0, and table P, which latter isattached to said bearings, as herein described.

3. The combination, in a table attachment for beds, of a swivel-arm, I,provided at its free end with a lamp-holder, said arm being applied tothe same standard that supports the table-bracket, as herein described.

4. The combination, in a table attachment for beds, of standard G,support H, swivelarm I, socket L, bracket N, and table P, the free endof said arm being provided with a lamp-holder, as herein described.

5. The combination, in a table attachment for beds, of slotted plate BI) b, washers U c G c, thumb-screws D D, and keepers E E, as hereindescribed.

In testimony whereof I affix my in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT L. STOKES.

signature Witnesses:

SAM. H. IERIN, J OHN TIIOMLEY.

